Composite tool

Abstract

A composite tool comprising two equal plastic half sections bonded to each other to form a tool body. The upper portion of the body defines a handle and the lower portion encloses a metallic channel assembly and two pin members reciprocally, slidably mounted within the channel assembly. Each of the pin members has a cylindrical section extending downwardly from the tool body. The tool of the present invention additionally comprises, at the end opposite the channel end, a blade assembly for use as a screwdriver or to remove a deck plate.

I claim: 
     
       1. A composite tool comprising: first and second half sections of plastic material;   means for attaching said half sections to each other to form a tool body, a first portion of said tool body defining a handle;   a channel assembly mounted within a second portion of said tool body and spaced from said handle portion;   first and second pin members mounted within said channel assembly for movement toward and away from each other;   each of said pin members having a workpiece engaging section extending from the tool body and adapted to engage a workpiece and apply torque thereto; and   said channel assembly including a first channel having at least one of said pin members mounted therein, said first channel including at least one shoulder projecting from said channel and received by a corresponding groove in at least one of said half sections to thereby at least assist in mounting said first channel on said tool body.   
     
     
       2. A composite tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said tool body defines sufficient essentially sealed interior void space therein to make the composite tool sufficiently buoyant to float in water. 
     
     
       3. A composite tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said tool body includes a shank joining said handle to said second portion, said second portion and said handle being wider than said shank, and said composite tool includes a tool member carried by said handle between said half sections and projecting outwardly of said handle, said second portion of said tool body defining a second handle for said composite tool. 
     
     
       4. A composite tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said channel assembly is constructed of metal and said plastic material is high-impact polycarbonate. 
     
     
       5. A composite tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said attaching means includes at least one tubular member in said handle. 
     
     
       6. A composite tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said channel assembly includes a second channel within said tool body, said second channel being spaced axially from said first channel, said tool body including a web intermediate said first and second channels for assisting in mounting said first and second channels on said tool body, and said second channel having at least one of the pin members mounted therein. 
     
     
       7. A composite tool comprising: first and second half sections of plastic material;   means for attaching said half sections to each other to form a tool body, a first portion of said tool body defining a handle;   a channel assembly mounted within a second portion of said tool body and spaced from said handle portion;   first and second pin members mounted within said channel assembly for movement toward and away from each other;   each of said pin members having a workpiece engaging section extending from the tool body and adapted to engage a workpiece and apply torque thereto; and   said channel assembly including first and second metal channels separated axially of each other and located between said half sections, said first and second channels having the first and second pin members slidably mounted therein, respectively, each of said first and second channels including first and second legs integrally joined by a web and a pair of shoulders projecting from the channel adjacent the junctures of the legs and web, said half sections having grooves for receiving said shoulders to thereby assist in mounting said first and second channels on said tool body.   
     
     
       8. A composite tool as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second pin members are slidable within said first and second channels, respectively, the surfaces of the first and second channels and the surfaces of the first and second pin members which are in sliding contact are coated with a relatively low friction bearing material, said tool body defines an essentially sealed void space therein which is sufficient to make the composite tool sufficiently buoyant to float in water, said tool body has a shank for joining said handle to said second portion of said tool body, a tool member mounted between said half sections at said handle and projecting outwardly of said handle, said handle and said second portion of said tool body being wider than said shank whereby said second portion of said tool body defines a second handle for said tool.